Theremin: an Instrument Played Without any Physical Contact

Author : Jennifer Stone

If you are looking for the largest instrument that feels like something from another world, or the Earth’s future, then Theremin checks all the boxes. This is the single instrument in the world that is played entirely without any physical touch, and this playing method is the one that makes it completely different from the rest of the musical instruments. The music of Theremin seems to be the final show of any magic trick, as it appears to be coming from nothing. The tones and notes are simply manipulated by hand and finger movement in the air. Let’s delve into the unique world of the Theremin, the world’s only musical instrument played without any physical touch.

The Theremin: An Electronic Crusade

Russian physicist Leon Theremin invented this unusual instrument in the 1920s that operates on the principles of electromagnetic fields. The Theremin has built-in antennae which responds to the proximity of the players’ hands and produces music. This is how the music is produced on the instrument without any physical touch. The instrument involves the manipulation of electromagnetic fields around the two antennae, responsible for making the instrument look weird. Players can control the sound by moving their hands and fingers around the two antennas. The vertical antenna is responsible for tone control and the looped antenna for volume control.

What is the science behind the trickery?

A theremin consists of two main components, a volume and tone and pitch controller which is known as the oscillator. This oscillator produces an electromagnetic field around the theremin. When the player’s hands or fingers enter this electromagnetic field, the oscillator’s frequency gets altered, producing visible changes in the pitch. At the same time, the player’s hand movements in the volume control field are used to adjust the loudness of the sound on the instrument. Now a combination of these two actions and reactions allows the player to express his musical emotions by making sounds on the Theremin.

What is Theremin’s cultural impact?

The theremin is able to produce vast gradations of volume and pitch and it is this ability that made the instrument hailed as “the most perfect tonal instrument” by several composers and singers in the industry. After being invented in the 1920s, the musical instrument started gaining huge popularity in the mid-20th century. The machine that was first invented to use the new-fangled technology of radio waves to measure some properties of gas soon became an inseparable part of the music industry. The Theremin was the first that utilized electricity in a completely developed musical application. Throughout the entire 1940s and 50s, the musical instrument has been used to generate bizarre, otherworldly sounds, used for science-fiction and horror films. However, over the years, the Theremin has found itself making notable impacts on different genres of music while continuing its influence on contemporary music.

How can one master this touchless symphony?

Playing the Theremin is considered a delicate art form that requires control, precision, and a lot of patience. One of the most notable Theremin players in history is Clara Rockmore who was a violin prodigy and made her name playing Theremin. Following her footsteps, there are some secrets to playing this instrument. Let’s figure out what they are –

i) Finger placement –

While playing the theremin Rockmore developed a unique technique of finger placement allowing her to work with and control the sound on the instrument. In the footage, Rockmore was seen moving her fingers in thin air as if she was plucking invisible harp strings while her right hand’s forefinger seemed to have been pressed firmly to the thumb. She wrote about this technique, “you don’t need hammers to work with air.” “Think of your fingers as delicate butterfly wings, and you will get further than if you use strength,” she continued. So the number one rule is to develop a unique finger placement.

ii) Bodily movement –

While playing the instrument it is important to remember that the body is also an electro-conductor which makes it necessary to control every body movement when you are engaged in the Theremin play. In other instruments, the musician is free to move or nod her head along with the beat, however, while playing Theremin every motion will impact the sound as it is all about interacting with the invisible field projected. According to the legendary Rockmore, it is also extremely important to control emotion, which triggers body movement while playing Theremin. This does not mean it is impossible to jam for Theremin players, it is just that they need to focus a bit more.

iii) The importance of surroundings –

Another rule of playing Theremin is to give the surroundings as much importance as your body movement or emotional display. Others passing too close or even standing in close proximity can interfere with the electromagnetic fields, therefore the pitch of the music the instrument is producing. In her manual, Clara Rockmore wrote, “Make sure no one passes by, as you are playing, and enters the electromagnetic field from the other side, immediately affecting the performance.” In a tight orchestra space, Rockmore warns about several things including conductors’ batons and violinists’ bows.

iv) Establishing communication –

Every Theremin has variations in its playing field that get adjusted with each performer’s playing style. In this position, tuning the instrument to the players’ body capacity is the most important thing. The field of the Theremin also needs to be adjusted so the players’ movements can be contained with it and produce desired musical tones. Even though previous Theremins had a much more limited range of sounds, the newly crafted ones are easier to adjust.

Challenges, beauty, and patience of Theremin

The charm of the instrument is its unique tone production and the most surprising way of playing. This first electric music instrument is, however, not without its challenges. The lack of physical contact might be the most alluring thing about the instrument, it also demands a high level of skill and practice. What poses as an attractive feature about the Theremin also makes it rather challenging so each performance is a unique display of artistry, skills, and patience.

The Theremin may seem like a foreign instrument, out of this world that has players playing it in the air, but it has a timeless appeal that makes it as mystique as it is.

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